Lost My Horse's JC Papers & Don't Know His Tattoo #!

[ReeseTheBeast]

Hi Guys,

I figured this would be the best place to ask about how I would go about getting a copy of my horse’s JC papers… I went to the JC website a while ago and noticed that you need a tattoo number to order a copy of any papers; but my problem is that I don’t know his tattoo number! (and it’s illegible)

I don’t want the papers for anything other than my personal reference/files I keep on my horse, if that makes any difference?

I know his racing name (Showcased), that his birthday is April 22, 1999, and that this is his pedigree; but none of those things seem like they’re going to be too helpful in my quest to obtain a copy of his papers.

So- can you guys please give me some expert advice on how to proceed?

Many thanks, in advance!!! :yes:

[caffeinated]

This will sound completely unhelpful but hopefully will save you some time and stress:

You wont be able to get the papers.

Without proof of ID (tattoo) and the cooperation of whoever last had his papers, you’re pretty much not going to get anywhere but frustrated.

[scheherazadetbmare]

If he wasn’t sold to you with his papers, you won’t be able to get a “copy.” The papers follow the horse in sales. Some sellers either won’t give the papers or have lost them. The JC does not operate that way. Unless things have changed in the last few years. But you don’t need his registration form for most purposes. As long as you can decipher his tattoo, you can prove his identity.

You can contact the JC (equibase?) and get his tattoo #. They are very helpful if you know his JC registered name. And if you don’t, and can figure out some of the letters in his lip tattoo, they are very helpful in figuring out his name and jockey club # by his color and date of birth. Even if you are off by 6 yrs. I know this!

[ReeseTheBeast]

Aw hell. I was hoping for better news.

But I really appreciate your responses, even if they weren’t what I wanted to hear! :yes:

I actually had his papers (seller gave them to me at the time of sale), but they have disappeared some time in the 6 years that I’ve owned him.

His papers aren’t a huge deal, per se; I mean I know who he is and I’m keeping him for life. But I would have liked to have a copy anyway, just because. Oh well!

Thanks again, guys!

[moonriverfarm]

With his name, can’t you get his tattoo number? And with the tattoo number, request the papers? I’m not sure but others might know if that would work. Otherwise, you can get all his pedigree info off the web, either at equiline or perdigreequery, and put together a pretty extensive record of his life!

[caffeinated]

Hmmm, if you actually did have the papers in your own possession you might have better luck - I somehow missed that when I first read this topic earlier (it was early!) - did you buy him off the track?

If the papers, prior to you, were last in the possession of his actual race owner and were transferred to you, you may be able to get replacements, but I think it might depend on if there is record of the transfer of ownership anywhere.

Might be one to call the JC about after all.

In most cases, people are several owners down the line from the track and the transfers of ownership haven’t been recorded, and there’s really no way to get anywhere at that point.

[jengersnap]

I always wonder if, as the racing owners, should we do the online ownership transfers on Equineline for those horses we really want to pass the papers on with? With mine, I do sign over the papers as some have been nicely bred mares and things can happen that might land them in the breeding shed. Might as well be out of a papered TB mare in that case. But I’ve rarely gone through the trouble of completing the online ownership transfer. I can see this being of benefit to the OP here though. If the ownership was transfered, she could have called the JC, and as last owner of record (their requirement) write an affidavit that the papers were lost, pay the $200, and get a replacement set.

On the other hand, what would happen if the OP went into Equineline, completed the ownership transfer (as Reese can certainly ascertain that she is the owner of the horse), and then called the JC to obtain a replacement set (with the cost) as the owner of record online? Anyone ever try it?

[furlong47]

Is any of the tattoo readable? With even a partial tattoo number and knowing the horse’s color and markings it may be possible to find the whole tattoo number via the online search. By his age we already know it starts with C. If you can read even two of the numbers that could be enough.

Also, people with lots of practice can often read tattoos that others think illegible. I’ve IDed several horses easily after people posted pictures of the tattoo they couldn’t read.

[danceronice]

Yes, if YOU had the papers, call the JC. If you need his tattoo/registration, try taking a picture and posting it on here–there are people on here who are VERY good about reading murky tattoos. Since you know his name and birth year, it would be a matter of just getting enough numbers to find him on the on-line lookup.

[halo]

Ive had to replace lost papers, and didnt need a tattoo number.

9. DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE OF FOAL REGISTRATION
   A. If a Certificate of Foal Registration has been lost or destroyed, a Duplicate Certificate of Foal Registration may be issued by the Registry Office upon submission of the following:
10. A check or money order payable to The Jockey Club covering the prescribed fee (see Fee Schedule);
11. A set of four color photographs of the horse (front, both sides, and rear views) clearly showing the color and the markings (or lack of markings) on the head, legs and body;
12. A completed and signed Duplicate Certificate Form containing the written description of the markings on the horse, including the exact location of the head and neck cowlicks;
13. A notarized statement from the owner or his authorized agent describing the circumstances under which the Certificate of Foal Registration was lost or destroyed;
14. Proof of ownership of that specific horse (for example, a bill of sale or cancelled check including the name or pedigree of the horse, date of sale and the name of the new owner); and
15. Any further evidence and assurances as The Jockey Club may require, such as genetic typing and/or parentage verification.
    B. Except as expressly provided in this Rule 9, a Duplicate Certificate of Foal Registration will not be issued as long as the Certificate of Foal Registration is known to be in existence; provided however, in the event of a sheriff’s (or similar) sale or under a non-appealable Court Order, a Duplicate Certificate of Foal Registration will be issued if the original Certificate of Foal Registration cannot be obtained from the previous owner only after a good faith effort to recover it is made by the seller and/or the new owner. In either case, the requirements of Rule 9(A) 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 must be met and an opinion must be submitted to The Jockey Club from an attorney or an official representative of the court, indicating that the sale (if applicable) was conducted in accordance with the laws of the state and providing such other information as The Jockey Club may request regarding the circumstances and validity of the sale or Court Order.
    C. Once a Duplicate Certificate of Foal Registration is issued, the original Certificate of Foal Registration becomes null and void, and if located, must be returned to the Registry Office.

[Bacchus]

If you had his papers last, you can get a copy. Just follow the above. It will cost $150.